When you are in Bali, transportation plan is something that you must put into your agenda as you always need it in order to explore the island. Most of Bali places of interest are located some kilometers in distance between one point to another. Actually , there are many choices available such as renting a car, rent a car plus the driver/tour guide, using public bus (which become a rare choice for most visitors) and last but be cautious, taxi service (taxicab). Now it is up to you to choose which transportation service you think would meet your need. Arranging a transportation service with your hotel/travel agent prior to your trip is always a good choice but sometimes you have to use taxi service. Here I refer taxi service to the public taxi service, with a taxi sign is clearly set on top of the vehicle, the vehicles are usually sedan class with brand mostly such as Ford Sunny, Toyota Corolla etc.

This time I’d like to share some little information regarding to dealing with taxi drivers in Bali. Honestly, I hate to say something bad about anything tourists-related service including taxi services in Bali but I think I need to share it considering that it might useful for your safety during your visit on the island. Remember that, like in any other places in the world, a crime might happen to you when using taxi services. Once, my brother was a taxi driver in Kuta area and yeah he shared something that a taxi driver might do to a tourist, especially when you are a first timer. Here are some tips when dealing with taxi drivers in Bali:

1. Make sure you are using a taxi with a clear ID card which usually put on top of the dashboard. Hey, welcome to the jungle of taxi world. There are many jokers a.k.a personal taxi in Bali. I am not saying they are bad but you can not risk your trip comfort with some taxi drivers who work for no authorized taxi company. Having clear ID card meaning that the taxi is an ‘official taxi’ so in general they are OK and easy for you in the future to address a complain if any.

2. Before you get in the taxi, make sure you ask the driver that you will be charged based on the taximeter (known as argo in local language). Some taxi drivers are resistant to use the meter instead they will charge you based on the negotiation you made or worst (in case you don’t ask first), they just charge you based on what they called unwritten public rate. (They will say something like this ‘hey dude the rate is bla bla, it is a public rate, you can ask every people here, the rate from point A to point B is bla bla. Everybody knows it). And guess what, there are many of them without a working taximeter. So if there is no taximeter, say good bye to the taxi driver.

3. Have some small cash with you. Yes most taxi drivers don’t have cash as the change for you just in case you pay with 100.000 rp bill or 50.000 rp bill. Even if they have it they will simply say, sorry dude I don’t have any cash for the change. And you will have no choice but give it to them the whole money. It will be a different story if you give it as tips.

4. Pay attention to the surrounding areas. Some bad taxi drivers love to take you to the longer route instead of the normal route. Yes to keep the meter running more. Just use your common sense, if there is such drastic change of the surrounding areas such as from a main road with full of shops and residents then suddenly to a very small road with no street light, you better ask the driver where the heck they are taking you. It is always good to have a map with you.

5. In worst case scenario, it is OK to say the f word but in local language. Say to them ndas keleng ci! meaning f word in English. This is good to create a shock therapy for them. At least they thought that you are some kind of ‘knowing’ something about Bali, either Balinese friend or previous experience on the island.